Keeping you in-the-know about addiction and recovery.

Emerging Stronger: How Addiction Teaches Us Five Core Strengths of the Human Condition
Reviewed by: Lauren Grawert, M.D. When I tell people that I’m an Addiction Psychiatrist, the usual response is, “Oh man. That must be tough.” I’ve had a front-row view into this complex and often misunderstood disease for many years. Along the way, I’ve learned that the journey of addiction often

Treating Co-Occurring Disorders And Acute Suicidality in the LGBTQ+ Community
Reviewed by: Lauren Grawert, M.D. The LGBTQ+ community struggles with Addiction and Suicidal thoughts at rates 5-6 times higher than the general population. How can we, as providers, help? Here is a close-up snapshot of a recent encounter. “I’m losing more battles than I’m winning,” he said quietly. His dull

Unveiling Parallels: Exploring the Shared Lessons of the Opioid and Stimulant Epidemics
Reviewed by: Lauren Grawert, M.D. “You medical people will have more lives to answer for in the other world than even we generals.” -Napoleon Bonaparte. Imagine this: a highly addictive drug comes to market as a prescription. Representatives from the drug maker infiltrate physician offices, touting the drug as safe

How Do We Stop the Opioid Epidemic Immediately? We Make These 4 Changes
Reviewed by: Lauren Grawert, M.D. We lose 357 Americans to opioid overdose deaths every day. That is roughly one large jumbo jet crashing daily, or 15 preventable deaths per hour. Can you imagine if we had one large plane full of Americans crashing and dying daily? The FAA would immediately

Navigating the Battlefield Within: Alcohol Use Disorder Among Military Veterans
Reviewed by: Lauren Grawert, M.D. When military service fades into memory and the uniform is retired, many veterans find themselves facing another formidable adversary: addiction. Transitioning from the military to civilian life can be challenging, often laden with unique stressors and traumas. The Toll of Trauma The harrowing experiences of

What the Solar Eclipse Teaches Us About Addiction Recovery
Reviewed by: Uneeta Palmer In the grand tapestry of the cosmos, few celestial events capture our collective fascination quite like a solar eclipse. As the moon gracefully slides between the earth and the sun, a shadow descends, casting a momentary veil of darkness upon the world below. These awe-inspiring spectacles

Death Sentence by Denial: Rhode Island and Alabama Turn Their Back on Addiction Treatment While Opioid-Related Deaths in Both States Soar
Reviewed by: Lauren Grawert, M.D. Last month, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a joint statement strongly encouraging the use of telehealth to treat opioid use disorder. Specifically, they encouraged the use of telehealth appointments to

New Study Reveals Insights on Opioid Dependence Risk Factors
Reviewed by: Aware Recovery Care A recent study[i] by researchers from the VA Connecticut Healthcare System and the Yale School of Medicine explores the connection between genetic and psychosocial factors in predicting opioid use disorder. Joseph Deak, Ph.D., co-lead author, highlighted the progress in understanding genetic and environmental influences on

7 Signs that Virtual Detox Might be Just Right For You
Reviewed by: Lauren Grawert, M.D. Aware Recovery Care’s Virtual Detox Program offers a comprehensive and personalized approach to alcohol or substance withdrawal from the comfort of your home. Our program utilizes medication management and holistic support tailored to meet your individual needs. Here are seven signs that Ambulatory Detox may

Navigating the Shadows: Challenges Women Face When Seeking Help for Substance Abuse
Reviewed by: Lauren Grawert, M.D. Acknowledging and addressing substance abuse is challenging for anyone. For women, the path to recovery can be laden with unique obstacles. Societal stigmas, gender-specific issues, and a lack of tailored support contribute to the difficulties women face when seeking help for drug or alcohol addiction.

The Troubling Trend of Pharmacies Refusing to fill a lifesaving Addiction Treatment Medication
Reviewed by: Lauren Grawert, M.D. I sat on the phone yesterday consoling a single mother in Ohio. She was scared and tearful. She was going through acute withdrawal from heroin. In between bouts of vomiting and dry heaving, she pleaded, “When will I be able to pick up the medication

Exploring Different Levels of Care for Detox
Reviewed by: Lauren Grawert, M.D. At Aware Recovery Care, we understand that seeking detox services is a crucial step towards reclaiming your life from substance use disorders. In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between outpatient, inpatient, and residential levels of care for detox services. Exploring Outpatient, Inpatient,